The Russian Church.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 3, 1 September 1922, Page 406

The Russian Church.

A great deal has been written recently on the position of the Russian Church and its treatment by Sovietism. Put shortly ' the Patriarch Tikhon has a splendid and wonderful influence m Russia. The Soviet requisitioned all Church property, ostensibly for the relief of famine. Tikhon offered a large amount for this purpose but the Soviets demanded the surrender of all they might demand. It was well known that only an infinitesimal portion was really to be devoted to relief, the rest was to be used for political and military purposes. The demands of the S6viets were refused. Larae numbers of priests were put to death. Bands of soldiers raided the churches^ and killed those who resisted them. The Patriarch, defending 1 the Archbishop of Moscow and other clergy, was himself included m the charge of defying the Soviets. He declared the Church's treasures belonged'not to the State but to God. The authorities of all Christian de-

nominations m Europe, including the Pope, have protested m the name of Christianity against the/ robbery of the Church and the massacre of the clergy. The Soviets sent a most insulting reply. :■'.-";;. ;" One of the latest, moves of the Soviets is to organise a; -party; among the few m the Church; who approve • of : Sovietism. This: party is to demand', on behalf* of the Church, establishment, and, m; return, "to offer to submit do -disendowmenfr. When the ■-Church, is, v [the bishops and other clergy are.- to'..; be appointed by the State,- and ■■•so the Church will become an' instrument of the Soviets for securing the submission of the people. Soviet morals and Soviet politics are evidence', that Sovietism has really m view the, destruction of Christianity. The' latest move is to do from within what has never and cannot be accomplished by persecution from without. , :